In the wake of Mark Oshiro’s report on his experience at ConQuest, I am really fed up with the behavior of some fans and pros (NOT ALL FANS, NOT ALL PROS, sigh, let’s get that out of the way before the avalanche of indignant denials). His report didn’t shock me. I’ve seen the same behavior for years–I’ve even sometimes found it funny, but not in that context. Been on similar panels where the tone-deafness of the panelists burns.
But you know what? It’s not necessarily the fault of the volunteers throwing conventions. Audiences and panelists must hold each other accountable if fandom is going to continue as it began. ConComs are not gods. They can’t vet moderators, they can’t interview panelists about every panel topic to see if they’re qualified. They are organizers of a show for which they don’t get paid, and while they do shoulder the burden for responding to bad behavior, WE are responsible for responding immediately to the bad behavior in the first place. (I have been guilty of letting things slide, of trying to play “can’t we all get along,” of not pushing myself hard enough to be articulate and responsible. And I’m sorry. If you see me falling short or saying dumbass things, stand up and say so. I will learn and grow as a person from that discussion.)
As of 2016, SF/F conventions are 80 years old. If we want them to continue much longer, we need to take action.
So here’s my personal manifesto for 2016 and beyond.
1) I will, before the convention, ask for and review my panel schedule. If I am a moderator, I will prepare questions in advance and circulate them to the panelists if at all possible. If not possible, I will advise them before the panel if I can, and provide them with printed copies. If I’m a panelist, I will take time to find out about others on the panel.
2) If I am assigned to a panel that I’m not qualified to be on, I will ask to be switched out with someone more appropriate. I won’t just hold down a seat. There are people who can and should speak with authority. If at any point I spot someone in the audience who is better qualified, I will ask them to switch out with me because the audience is there to get the best panel.
3) I will not participate on any more “Strong Woman Character” or “Women Writer” panels. All characters should be strong, women are not aliens from Planet Female, and END OF DAMN DISCUSSION WHY DO WE EVEN HAVE IT COME ON.
4) I will not participate on any more “Why Read YA” panels, because in the wake of 15+ years of amazing, groundbreaking, bestselling work being done in YA, it’s a dumb question, and we’re dumb for asking. I will, however, happily participate in “How writing and reading YA enriches SF/F” or similar topics, because it’s kicking ass and we’re delighted to talk about the exciting work there. (I will also ask for panel title adjustments/description adjustments when appropriate.)
5) I *will* call bullshit. If you are on a panel and say inappropriate things–by which I mean, things that are hurtful, ignorant, demeaning or abusive–I will confront, in public, what you say or do. If you continue, shit will get real. Tables will flip. I am no longer going to be Texas Nice about it, because apparently that doesn’t get us anywhere.
And before someone slaps down the PC card: Funny is one thing. Humor is admittedly subjective. But making people deliberately uncomfortable and then getting angry when they don’t find you funny is quite another. I’ve observed it over and over–do something in poor taste, then angrily turn it back on the person who “can’t take a joke” and call them humorless, PC, feminist, etc. Guess what? Being an asshole has nothing to do with rebelling against PC culture. It’s just giving yourself license to be an asshole. And what’s the first rule of being a good person? DON’T BE AN ASSHOLE. It’s a low bar. If you overstep (and we all do), apologize sincerely and move on.
And btw: uncomfortable laughter from other panelists/audience is not approval. It’s self-defense.
If you want to do an R-rated panel or show, cool, conventions have always been safe space for that. People can choose whether or not to attend and know what they’re in for. But don’t drag us into it when we’re supposed to be talking about something else altogether in a general audience. And don’t drag fellow panelists who aren’t down with it into it.
6) If I see a bad situation developing at other times–in hallways, at parties, etc.–I will intervene, confront, and do what I can to prevent it from happening again. As a panelist and guest, that is my responsibility.That includes asking the person made uncomfortable if they want to report it.
So, fair warning: regional conventions, if you want me back, you’re getting Rachel Caine 2.0.
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